Sources said the low-profile Nadda has the support of the dominant section of BJP leadership as well as the RSS. He enjoys a close rapport with Modi, having worked him with him when the PM-designate was general secretary in charge of Nadda's home state of Himachal. The two lived in the outhouse of the BJP headquarters at Ashoka Road. Nadda, who was minister for environment in HP, has also worked with Amit Shah, BJP 's 'star' general secretary, in the party's youth wing.

TOI was the first to write (on May 19) that Nadda was a strong contender for the top job in BJP. Sources in the party said the Nadda-Amit Shah duo would be key to the plan to align the BJP with Modi's priorities.

Even as clarity emerged about the possible change of guard in the BJP, there were few clues about the shape the Modi ministry might take. Sources said the situation would crystallize only on Sunday after Modi had held talks with allies. Punjab CM Prakash Singh Badal and his son, deputy CM Sukhbir Badal, met Modi on Friday; TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu and Shiv Sena chief Udhav Thackeray are expected to meet him on Saturday.

On a day when Modi held joint and separate deliberations with Rajnath, Arun Jaitley, Nitin Gadkari and Amit Shah, there were indications that BJP had almost finalized its own list of ministers, few party leaders had any clear idea about what was in store for them. Those desperately trying to read ministerial tea leaves included those who were considered a shoo-in for big portfolios on account of their seniority, popular estimate, and their own swagger on the day of Modi's victory.

The information deficit reinforced the perception about Modi's rise as the unquestioned boss of the party. In fact, few seemed to be in the loop even on his decision to turn the swearing-in into an informal Saarc summit. This is also a clear indication of Modi's intention to zealously guard his prime ministerial turf and not countenance parallel centres of power. The appointment of his confidant Nadda as the next BJP chief, if it goes through, may mark the beginning of the Modi era in the Sangh Parivar.

NDA chooses Modi as their leader

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NDA chooses Modi as their leader

Narendra Modi, who steered BJP and the NDA to a landslide victory in the Lok Sabha election, was appointed Prime Minister on Tuesday, ushering in a new era of a non-Congress government with an absolute majority on its own in 30 years. Modi addressed the meeting of NDA allies at the Central Hall of Parliament in New Delhi on Tuesday. Modi will be India's next Prime Minister after leading the BJP to a historic victory in a ballot that ended on Friday. (PTI photo)

NDA chooses Modi as their leader

Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi bows down in respect at the steps of the Parliament upon his arrival to attend the BJP Parliamentary meeting. Modi fought back tears in an emotional first address to his party members, after he swept to power in an election that has changed the face of politics in the country. Modi will be India's next Prime Minister after leading the BJP to a historic victory in a ballot that ended on Friday. (Reuters photo)

NDA chooses Modi as their leader

Narendra Modi gets up after kissing the steps of the Parliament as a sign of respect upon arrival for a meeting of the party's newly elected lawmakers. (AP photo)

NDA chooses Modi as their leader

Narendra Modi bows down in respect at the steps of the Parliament upon his arrival to attend the BJP Parliamentary meeting. (Reuters photo)

NDA chooses Modi as their leader

Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi hugs an emotional LK Advani during the BJP parliamentary party meeting at the Central Hall of the Parliament. (PTI photo)

NDA chooses Modi as their leader

Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi is greeted by Rajnath Singh during the BJP parliamentary party meeting at the Central Hall of the Parliament. (PTI photo)

NDA chooses Modi as their leader

Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi is greeted by Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje during the BJP parliamentary party meeting at the Parliament. (PTI photo)

NDA chooses Modi as their leader

NDA chooses Modi as their leader

NDA chooses Modi as their leader

Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi with SAD president Parkash Singh Badal and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray at the meeting of NDA allies at the Central Hall of Parliament in New Delhi on Tuesday. (PTI photo)

NDA chooses Modi as their leader

LJP president Ramvilas Paswan exchanges greetings with Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi and other leaders at the meeting of NDA allies at the Central Hall of Parliament. (PTI photo)

NDA chooses Modi as their leader

NDA chooses Modi as their leader

President Pranab Mukherjee is greeted by Narendra Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan. (PTI photo)

NDA chooses Modi as their leader

President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi during a meeting at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday. (PTI photo)

NDA chooses Modi as their leader

President Pranab Mukjerjee (R) presents a letter to Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi at the Presidential Palace in New Delhi on May 20, 2014. Narendra Modi choked back tears and promised to try to live up to expectations as he made his first visit to the Parliament since his sweeping election victory. (AFP photo)

NDA chooses Modi as their leader

Prime Minister-elect and Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Narendra Modi addresses the media after meeting President Pranab Mukherjee, outside the Presidential Palace in New Delhi. The President on Tuesday invited Modi to form a new government. (AP photo)

NDA chooses Modi as their leader

Prime minister-elect Narendra Modi displays the letter he received from President Pranab Mukherjee during their meeting at the Presidential Palace. Narendra Modi told reporters after meeting President Pranab Mukherjee that his swearing-in would take place on May 26. (AFP photo)

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